A program aimed at improving educational opportunities continues to give hope to aboriginal students across the province.

The Business Council of Manitoba handed out $391,000 in financial assistance to aboriginal students pursuing post-secondary education at its annual Aboriginal Education Awards night last week.

Council president Don Leitch said those funds are having a big impact on these students, many of whom come from very difficult family circumstances which would have prevented them from going after their educational goals. "Over the past 19 years, we have distributed a total of $6 million to over 2,400 recipients which have helped people secure good, meaningful employment in the province of Manitoba," he said.

The Business Council of Manitoba is committed to helping Aboriginal students attend university or community college and believes that education is an important component in a student's personal development that can greatly improve their opportunities, according to Leitch. He said the personal impact the program is having on individuals is very tangible. "One of our students said, 'you have no idea how important this award is to me and how it is a vote of confidence in me. I can assure you I will succeed.' That is a non-monetary impact that says to others that 'you can do it.'"

Leitch pointed out that the Aboriginal Educational Awards are just one example of how members of the Business Council of Manitoba are committed to making the province a better place to live and work.